Can You Freeze Meat?
Meat tastes its best when it is still fresh. But it is not always possible to have fresh meat available for your meals. Sometimes you might not have the time to buy it, or sometimes maybe it is not available. Whatever the reason, you would not want to cancel your meat dishes, would you?
Also, buying meat whenever you wish to include it in your meals is quite expensive. So, what can you do? You might wonder if you can stock up on meat in the freezer. Can you freeze meat?
Yes, you can freeze meat, and meat is one of those food items that freeze well. Freezing meat makes sure you always have ingredients ready for a delectable meal. This also prevents early spoilage of meat and further increases the shelf-life of fresh meat.
There are many benefits to freezing meat for later use, especially cost savings on bulk purchases and time savings during a hectic schedule. However, different cuts of meat require different freezing techniques for the best results.
How Can You Freeze Meat?
Whether you are storing hot dogs, hamburger patties, beef, or chicken breasts, the freezer is the perfect option. But, you know, freezing different cuts of meat demands slight variations in the freezing technique. This is done to protect the texture and flavor of the meat types.
However, despite the variations in cutting, all types of meat adhere to the same fundamental guidelines for safe freezing and storage. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to freezing meat.
- Choose and prepare the meat: Buy good quality fresh meat, because the quality will decide its shelf-life in the freezer. If you are freezing raw meat, keep it in the refrigerator before freezing. You can cut big sizes of meat for better freezing.
- Cut meat into meal-sized pieces: Use a sharp knife to cut the meat into pieces, as this will make it simpler to defrost and prepare it later. You can remove the extra bones in this process. This step is optional though.
- Wrap the meat pieces carefully: Use plastic wrap or freezer paper to wrap the meat before putting them into freezer bags. If you are using wax paper, make sure the waxed side is towards the meat. Parchment paper will also work here.
- Transfer the meat into airtight bags: Rewrap the meat carefully, in zippered plastic bags or aluminum foil, and close them. Ensure all the air is removed before sealing and the airtightness of the bag to avoid freezer burns.
- Label the storage packs and freeze them: You should label and date the meat storage packs to make sure you know how old your meat is. This will also prevent food wastage. Your meat is now ready to freeze. Stack them in the freezer.
Tips For Freezing Meat
- Freeze meat immediately: Meat should always be frozen as quickly as possible. This stops big ice crystals from growing along the surface of the meat, which can cause freezer burn and result in drier, harder meat when thawed.
- Organize the meat cuts before freezing: It is not advised to freeze meat all at once because this will affect the thawing process. So, freeze your meat in portions, suitable for a meal. This will make sure that your meat is frozen and thawed without exposing it to bacteria.
- Wrap the meat adequately: Meat requires at least 2 layers of wrapping before freezing. This is done to avoid exposure of frozen meat to the air outside. If acted upon by the air, the meat will start rotting due to bacterial growth.
Freezing Raw Meat, Fresh Meat, And Freezing Cooked Meat
While cooked meat undergoes certain processes, unlike raw meat and fresh meat, they all can be frozen in the same way. There is no such difference in their freezing methods. However, it is advised to freeze cooked meat on the same day it is prepared, and after it cools completely.
If you are cooking meat with other ingredients such as vegetables, it is not suggested to freeze the meat with veggies in. This is because veggies and meat need different freezing techniques. And freezing both of them together will affect their freezing and thawing.
How Long Does Meat Last In The Freezer?
Food loses quality and has a higher likelihood of developing freezer burn the longer it is frozen. The same is true with meat. However, you can freeze meat well after its estimated freezing dates. Also, different types of meat have varying freezing deadlines. Take a look at some of them here.
- Sausage and bacon: 2-3 months
- Raw chops, roasts, and steaks: 4–12 month
- Raw ground meat: 4-5 months
- Cooked meat: 5-6 months
What Is The Process Of Thawing Frozen Meat?
Defrosting meat needs to be taken care of, otherwise, it might develop bacterial growth. Here you will find three safe ways to defrost your frozen meat. However, you should never defrost your meat at room temperature. This will only ruin the flavor and texture of your meat.
Defrost Meats In The Refrigerator
Defrosting meat in the refrigerator is one of the most basic and widely used ways to do so. This way of defrosting also brings the best results when you cook the meat. It is also easy to refreeze meat that has been defrosted in the refrigerator.
However, the time for defrosting meat in the fridge depends on the size of the cuts. Larger pieces can need a day or two to thaw, while smaller cuts can do so overnight. Once defrosted, the meat can safely stay in the fridge for a couple of days.
Defrost Meats In Cold Water
If you do not have the required time to defrost meat in the refrigerator, put them in leak-proof bags and defrost it in cold water. Keep changing the water often so that it remains cold throughout. This will take a few hours to thaw.
However, it is not recommended to refreeze meat that has been thawed in cold water. Therefore, rather than storing it, consider cooking the meat.
Defrost Beef In The Microwave
The fastest way to thaw meat like beef is in the microwave, but it should be done carefully. This is because the heat from the microwave might start cooking parts of your meat as it thaws unevenly. Also, it might alter the consistency and texture of the meat.
Therefore, to preserve the flavor and texture of the meat, make periodic progress checks on the thawing process. And plan to cook it as soon as possible.